With a passion for Social justice
In Partnership with Dominican University and Chicago Sister Cities International Social Services Subcommittee Program
INTRODUCTION
We are global neighbors in a world that is increasingly interconnected by travel and technology yet fragmented by cultural divisions. Simultaneously, social service professionals in all parts of the world face professional challenges due to common societal, economic, political, and environmental upheavals. Issues such as substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, and human rights violations have no boundaries between countries. Therefore, best practices and policies that address these types of universal social challenges should also have no boundaries. Since its inception in 1996, ISWEP’s purpose has been to address this challenge.
MISSION STATEMENT
The International Social Worker Exchange Partnership promotes culturally-sensitive social work best practices through creating professional, international learning opportunities and coordinating multicultural immersion programs which build, strengthen and sustain global partnerships between multi-sector practitioners and organizations.
The International Social Worker Exchange Partnership serves as a conduit for mutual sharing of professional social service knowledge, skills, and identification of cultural determinants to enhance social services in a global community. Specifically, ISWEP:
Coordinates with the Chicago Sister City International Program, professional exchanges in which practitioners, community-based social workers, administrators, supervisors, academics from different parts of the world come together.
Shares best practices and policy experiences in a “cultural discourse”.
Increases an international exchange of theoretical and conceptual knowledge.
Educates and promotes global collaboration overcoming cultural divisions.
Increases social service awareness and multifaceted cultural expertise.